RaboDirect PRO12: Round 11 Preview

After their recent forays into Europe, this coming weekend sees the start of the festive derby fixtures for the RaboDirect PRO12 teams.

Ulster still lead the way with a perfect ten out of ten in the league, a full nine points clear of their nearest rivals, the Scarlets. The Ulstermen are one of three Irish provinces currently in the play-off zone.

They welcome Leinster to Ravenhill on Friday night, a victory for the visitors would close the gap between themselves and the leaders to single figures. But a loss could put their own top four place into jeopardy.

The other all-Irish fixture is on Saturday when fourth-placed Munster travel to the Sportsground to play Connacht, who are looking for a clean sweep over the three other provinces in Galway this season.

Munster have been in the top five of the table all season, but any slip-up in Galway could let Glasgow Warriors or the Ospreys take over their coveted play-off spot.

There is only one Welsh derby before Christmas as the round 11 game between the Newport Gwent Dragons and Ospreys has been held back until New Year's Eve, so the focus on Friday night will be the second-placed Scarlets' trip to Cardiff Arms Park.

The Scarlets need to be aware of the teams both above and below them in the table. They will be anxious to close the gap on the leaders and must be aware that any slip-up could see them lose the home play-off berth they currently hold.

The remaining game on Friday night is the first leg of the Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh double header.

Honours were even in the first game last Christmas, with the Warriors going on to take the second leg, and with the home team still very much in the running for a top four spot, there is guaranteed to be a capacity crowd at Scotstoun Stadium for this encounter.

The only remaining game before Christmas will be in Italy on Saturday - it is the first ever local derby between Zebre and Benetton Treviso.

The hosts are still looking for their inaugural win in the competition, but Treviso, who were minutes away from pulling off the shock of the last round of European games against Leicester Tigers, will be a hard team to beat.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.